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1 in 5 Brits uncomfortable wearing a red ribbon to mark World AIDS Day

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) reveals on World AIDS Day (December 1) the extent to which stigma, prejudice and fear still surround HIV.

Their YouGov survey of 2,049 people found that 20 per cent of British adults would feel uncomfortable wearing a red ribbon on this day to show support and raise awareness of HIV.

Shockingly, over a third (34 per cent) of these respondents said this was because they wouldn’t want other people to think they have HIV or AIDS.

This comes despite the news that people diagnosed with HIV have – for the very first time – the same overall mortality rate as the general public.

New Public Health England figures released this month show rates of undiagnosed HIV remain unacceptably high, with 1 in 8 of all people living with HIV unaware they have the virus. This is bad for their health and increases the likelihood of them unwittingly passing on HIV.

However, it was a better picture among the gay community, as just 5 per cent of gay people felt uncomfortable wearing the ribbon, compared with 22 per cent of heterosexuals.

Ian Green
Ian Green

Ian Green, Chief Executive of THT, said: “Incredible medical advances have been made since our namesake Terry Higgins was one of the very first to die of an AIDS-related illness 35 years ago. An HIV diagnosis used to be a death sentence but that’s no longer the case.

“Today the UK is closer than ever to beating HIV with an 18 per cent drop in new diagnoses in the UK – the first significant decline since the very start of the epidemic. But we won’t achieve this ambition until we stamp out HIV stigma for good.”

Prince Harry and Ms Markle visited an event in Nottingham, hosted by THT to mark World AIDS Day, for their first official public engagement.

His Royal Highness Prince Harry has committed to tackling the stigma that surrounds HIV and proudly wears a red ribbon.

Speaking recently at the opening of THT’s pop-up shop in Hackney, Prince Harry said: “We mustn’t be complacent. We’ve got everything here: all the equipment, all the testing ability. We owe it to this generation to be able to eradicate this once and for all.”

HIV treatment works by reducing the amount of virus in the blood to undetectable levels, which protects the immune system from damage. This also means that those on effective treatment can’t pass it on to sexual partners.

Stigma and fear remain key barriers to testing, diagnosis and access to life-saving treatment.

To show the extent of HIV stigma that still exists in 2017, THT have released a video with real messages sent to people living with HIV on dating apps.

The messages, echoing comments often associated with the 1980s, were all received by people living with HIV this year and highlight the stigma and misinformation that prevails around the long-term condition.

To download the video on WeTransfer: click here:  

Steve Brine MP
Steve Brine MP

Public Health Minister Steve Brine MP pledged to tackle the stigma that surrounds HIV at the charity’s World AIDS Day reception in Parliament.

He said: “Over the past 30 years we have come a long way but it is completely unacceptable that in 2017 there is still a stigma associated with HIV. The red ribbon of World AIDS Day should be seen as a symbol of unity and the excellent progress we’re making towards eliminating HIV infections and HIV associated deaths.”

Over in the City of London, the Bank of England marked the day by lighting up its Threadneedle Street building red as a symbol of support for all those affected by HIV.

New Steine Gardens host World AIDS Day Candlelit Vigil, tonight (December 1) at 6pm

The Mayor of Brighton and Hove, Cllr Mo Marsh will lead representatives from over thirty community organisations in the reading of the names tonight at the Brighton AIDS Memorial.

The annual World AIDS Day candlelit vigil will take place in New Steine Gardens in the shadow of the Brighton AIDS Memorial at 6pm when the names of those lost to HIV/Aids over the last 35 years will be read out.

Everyone is welcome to attend and space will be available for anyone seeking quiet moments of reflection.

If you wish to have the name of a friend or loved one added take details to the Memorial Space in New Steine Gardens from 4pm where Lunch Positive will be offering hot drinks and their volunteers will be on hand to answer questions about the evenings event and take any additional names of those we have lost to be read at the vigil.

The event is organised by the Brighton & Hove World AIDS Day (WAD) Partnership which includes: Avert, BHCC Partnership Community Safety Team, Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum, Gscene, Lunch Positive, Sussex Beacon, The Sussex Community Foundation NHS Trust. Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Sussex Ecumenical HIV Chaplaincy and THT.

Lunch Positive, the HIV lunch club will be holding a community drop in with refreshments at Dorset Gardens Methodist from 3.30pm-5.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.


Event: Brighton and Hove Candlelit Vigil and reading of the names

Where: New Steine Gardens, St James Street, Kemptown

When: Friday, December 1

Time: 6pm

World AIDS Day charity fundraiser for THT tonight (December 1) at Bar Broadway

Charles Street teams up with Bar Broadway for this years annual World AIDS Day (WAD) fundraising extravaganza on Friday, December 1.

Despite being closed for a complete refit in early December the team at Charles Street will join with Bar Broadway to bring you the annual WAD fundraiser extravaganza, hosted by Drag With No Name.

Charles Street managers Sam and Ed will join the Bar Broadway team behind the bar illustrating the importance of scene venues working together in unity on this special day.

Artists confirmed to appear include: Jason Thorpe, Kara Van ParkLucinda Lashes, Mrs Moore, Rose Garden, Sally Vate, Stephanie Von Klitz and Spice.

DJ Ruby Roo on sound and stage manager, Lola Holloran will make sure it is an evening to remember.

All profits from the evening will be donated to Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity.


Event: World AIDS Day Fundraiser

Where: Bar Broadway, Steine Street, Brighton

When: Friday, December 1

Time: 7.30pm

Cost: Suggested £2 donation on entry, bucket collections inside from THT volunteers

 

Local LGBT+ singers come together for World AIDS Day concert tonight (December 1)

Actually Gay Men’s Chorus, Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus and Rainbow Chorus join forces once again to organise the annual fundraising concert for World AIDS Day.

Funds raised from the concert will be donated to Lunch Positive, the HIV lunch club, who will be on hand serving mulled wine and mince pies on the night.

The concert will take place at St Mary’s Church in Kemp Town Brighton on Friday, December 1 at 7.30pm (allowing time for those attending the Candlelit Vigil close by at the AIDS Memorial statue on New Steine to pop along the road too). The three organising choirs will perform along with the Brighton Belles Women’s Chorus, Resound Male Voices, Rebelles Female Voices, Qukelele and the recently formed Sweet Chilli Singers.

Vaughan Leyshon
Vaughan Leyshon

Vaughan Leyshon, chairman of the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, said: “The World AIDS Day Charity Concert is an extremely important event in the calendar of our community and we are delighted to collaborate again with the Actually Gay Men’s Chorus and the Rainbow Chorus. The three choirs share equal responsibility in delivering an event intending to be both enjoyable and poignant at the same time. All performers will donate their time for free and costs will be kept to the bare minimum so that we can raise as much as possible for Lunch Positive”

Gary Pargeter
Gary Pargeter

Gary Pargeter, project manager at Lunch Positive, added: “Lunch Positive is hugely grateful for the continued support of all the choirs, performers and volunteers at the annual World AIDS Day Concert. The funds raised at this concert go directly towards the running costs of the HIV lunch club. This fundraising concert has special relevance to people who use Lunch Positive. In addition to help provide our much needed service, very large numbers of our members have been bereaved through AIDS. We know that the concert themes of remembrance and hope mean so much to them. Thank you from all of us at Lunch Positive to everyone involved in the World AIDS Day Concert and your continued understanding of the needs of our community.”


Event: World Aids Day Concert

Where: St Mary’s Church, St Georges Road, Kemptown, Brighton

When: Friday, December 1, 2017

Time: 7.30pm, doors Open 7pm

Cost: Tickets £10 online and from Prowler on St James Street, Brighton. It’s highly recommended to buy tickets in advance as the concert always sells out.

To book tickets online, click here:

 

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